SANTA ANITA
Race 1
We start this big eleven race card with the downhill Lennyfrommalibu Stakes. No. 1 Forest Chatter has won five of his six downhill turf sprints, bet him to cash. We will single in the pick five. 1
Race 2
Maiden 2yo fillies go 4-1/2 furlongs. If you have a big BR you will need to hit the all button but for us small shooters we will opt for No. 2 Cioppino Pasadino with Maldo gunning from the bell and that last work says she is on go. No. 3 Barbara Jo took some action in her one and only and will go better today for a trainer who excels with first time 2yo. Prat gets on first time starter No. 4 Scavenger Hunt for Mike McCarthy, this one looks live. 2-3-4
Race 3
In this mile turf race No. 4 Warren’s Tricia R. gets Flavien Prat back in the irons and the last time he was on this mare he got the easy win. No. 5 How Unusual gets some needed class relief. 4-5
Race 4
THE $200K MELAIR AT 1-1/16 ON THE DIRT FOR 3YO FILLIES
No. 1 Enola Gray won at first asking by 16 lengths and now will get the acid test. No. 3 Cheekaboo exits our HTW list off a solid win last on the grass at Golden Gate, she can handle the dirt and Bejarano says he will ride. No. 6 Shy Carmelita is the barn mate of Enola Gray and she also gets the stretchout. 1-3-6
Race 5
THE $200K SNOW CHIEF STAKES AT 1-1/8 ON THE GRASS
Trainer Bill Morey has brought a string of runners in from Golden Gate and No. 4 Midnight Ming is one of them, he comes off a solid effort in the Silky Sullivan. No. 5 Tough It Out ran big in his one turf race last out and has been meeting better than most. No. 6 Gold Rush Dancer exits the same race as Ming and he won the race. 4-5-6
Race 6
No. 4 I B Mike is a good fit at this level and distance and is a two time winner here and he gets Santiago Gonzalez back in the irons. 4
Win and place 4
Race 7
Maidens go a mile on the grass. No. 3 Infinite Loop gets back to going long and one race back he was second at this distance on the grass, No. 6 Country Road is the barn mate of Loop and ran right behind him in that mile turf race. No. 8 Skookum Spirit is the speed and if left alone on the front end he could get very brave. 3-6-8
Race 8
THE $150K TIZNOW AT A MILE ON THE DIRT
No. 6 Soi Phet will find a fast early pace, Kent D will sit chilly and pounce turning for home. No. 7 Rocko’s Wheel likes this mile trip and looks set for his best at a price third off the layoff and the stretchout. 6-7
Race 9
Maidens go 6-1/2 furlongs. No. 6 Monterey Shale ran a nice even race in his one and only and has a real good last work. No. 7 Tengas Ransom exits the same race, a race in which he finished second by a head and looks the one to beat. 6-7
Exacta box 6-7
Race 10
THE $125K FRANS VALENTINE GOING A MILE ON THE GRASS
No. 7 Velvet Mesquite gets back on the grass and may like this mile trip. No. 8 Singing Kitty’s last win came here when Bejarano rode her, he gets back on today. No. 3 Sheer Pleasure is in top form and will try the grass. 3-7-8
Race 11
$50k maiden fillies and mare go 5-1/2 furlongs. No. 4 Emmy and I was eliminated at the start in her comebacker, she gets Prat back on today and we look for much better today. No. 7 Marriedtoaminister gets her second start at this level off a good second last out. No. 8 Don’t Tell Judy drops and has some big early speed. 4-7-8
GOLDEN GATE
Race 1
No. 2 Panshir drops back to the level of her win. No. 4 Ibelievewewillwin comes off the layoff and gets a huge class drop by Martin. No. 6 Tow Steps of Glory is the closer of the race. 2-4-6
Race 2
No. 1 Recolte de Roi drops trying to cash for a sharp barn. No. 4 Shining Hope has the good connections of Baze riding for Quinn. No. 6 Royal Alexei exits the same race as Shining Hope. 1-4-6
Race 3
No. 2 Ourprincessmelanie is always right there and fits at this $8k level. No. 5 Renegade Run is in top form and will be running them down late. 2-5
Race 4
Baze gets on No. 1 Weyand a dropper with speed, the turn back could get him home. No. 7 Gato Pimiento ships in for Miyadi and drops looking for the win circle. 1-7
Race 5
No. 2 Allaboutaction is on a win every other race pattern and this is his win race off the layoff. No. 5 Boldly True is the barn mate of action and has been running with better at Santa Anita. No. 7 Quick and Silver is very fast and will be playing catch me if you can once again. 2-5-7
Race 6
No. 7 Rockydu was well bet in his first start and ran a nice even third, he gets the big jock change today. No. 8 Matts Lucky Spirit finished second in front of Rockydu. No. 4 Union Legend also exits the race and will hold better today. 4-7-8
Race 7
3yo fillies go a mile on the grass. No. 6 Letmetakeaselfie looks to have found a home here on the grass. No. 7 Clara’s Dream just missed last out on the grass. No. 10 Dollys Party Doll is in from Turf Paradise and has been working a hole in the wind. 6-7-10
Race 8
No. 2 Adriatic Skye drops to her lowest level. No. 7 Adios Pelota gets back to a sprint and will try and run them down late as will No. 9 Danzig Thorn Song who exits the same race. 2-7-9
Race 9
The day ends at the Gate with a five furlong turf sprint for $20k maiden fillies and mares. No. 1 Tiz’s All Star gets her first start and will like the grass. No. 5 Annaly S Lovely gets her first start and is bred for the grass. No. 9 Madame Clouet ran good in her only grass start going a mile, she gets her first start off the Lloyd Mason claim and is spotted for action. 1-5-9
Exacta box 1-5-9
CHECK FOR LATE SCRATCHES AND CHECK THAT THE SADDLE CLOTH NUMBERS MATCH OUR SELECTION NUMBERS.
Richard Saber, a former director of race and sports at the famed Stardust book, is GT’s horse racing and sports handicapper. Twitter: @SabesBet. Email: [email protected]